Pneumocystis pneumonia, a COVID-19 mimic, reminds us of the importance of HIV testing in COVID-19

Kelly, Sophie, Waters, Laura, Cevik, Muge, Collins, Simon, Lewis, Joe ORCID: 0000-0002-3837-5188, Wu, Meng-San, Blanchard, Tom J and Geretti, Anna M ORCID: 0000-0002-3670-6588 (2020) Pneumocystis pneumonia, a COVID-19 mimic, reminds us of the importance of HIV testing in COVID-19. CLINICAL MEDICINE, 20 (6). pp. 590-592.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2020-0565

Abstract

While clinical environments are highly focused on COVID-19, reports of missed or delayed treatment for conditions that imitate COVID-19, such as pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, are emerging. Given the uncertain spectrum of COVID-19 presentations and variable sensitivity of laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2, there is a risk that, without a high index of suspicion, alternative aetiologies may be overlooked while pursuing a diagnosis of COVID-19. The British HIV Association has been calling for the inclusion of HIV testing in all patients admitted to hospital with suspected COVID-19. In this article we reflect on the importance of including HIV testing to prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality in our patients.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	HIV, COVID-19, Pneumocystis jirovecii, PCP, SARS-CoV-2
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2022 15:19
Last Modified:	26 Apr 2024 08:56
DOI:	10.7861/clinmed.2020-0565
Open Access URL:	https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC76873...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3146685